Proposal — Norwayne CLT Pilot Home Launch
The Challenge
Historic Norwayne is one of Michigan’s most historically important neighborhoods — but today it faces:
- aging and deteriorated housing
- rising housing insecurity
- absentee landlords
- rising repair costs
- older homes with high energy burdens
- low appraisals and limited lending
- risk of displacement from speculation
Local families are being squeezed from all sides.
Why It Matters
Housing stability is the foundation for:
- health
- school performance
- mental wellness
- neighborhood safety
- economic mobility
- intergenerational stability
Without stable, safe, affordable housing, every other part of community life breaks down.
The Solution: A Community Land Trust
Constellation Path is launching the Norwayne Historic District CLT, a program focused on long-term affordability and community stability.
A Community Land Trust works by:
- acquiring homes
- rehabilitating them
- keeping the land in nonprofit stewardship
- providing permanently affordable rent
- reinvesting revenue into the neighborhood
Our Approach Is Different
We are not flippers. We are not landlords. We are not temporary relief.
Our model:
- Permanently affordable housing — homes removed from speculation forever.
- Quality-first rehabilitation — safe, energy-efficient, dignified homes.
- Revenue stays in the community — rent goes into a Community Wealth Fund.
- Slow, steady, sustainable growth — start with one home and build from there.
Why Norwayne?
- walkability and strong bones
- deep cultural and historical presence
- urgent need for stabilization
- some of the most affordable homes in Metro Detroit
- real risk of outside speculation
- a neighborhood where early investment can have outsized impact
Phase I: Pilot Home (2025–2026)
Our first objective is simple: acquire and rehabilitate one home.
The Pilot Home will:
- demonstrate the CLT model
- serve a low-income resident at an affordable rent
- create the first Community Wealth Fund revenue stream
- serve as a teaching site and community engagement anchor
- build trust and visibility
- document a replicable system
What the Pilot Home Will Provide
A fully rehabbed, weatherized, dignified 2-bedroom home with:
- safe electrical and plumbing
- clean and healthy interior
- updated kitchen and bathroom
- energy-efficient furnace and water heater
- attic and crawlspace insulation
- new flooring, paint, and finishes
- stabilized porch, windows, and exterior
- a long-term maintenance plan
Rent will be set at 65% of HUD Fair Market Rent, ensuring permanent affordability.
Budget (Projected)
| Category | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | $47,050 – $88,250 |
| Structural + Safety | $12,500 – $33,000 |
| Energy Efficiency | $5,600 – $12,800 |
| Interior Rehab | $13,700 – $29,000 |
| Exterior | $2,700 – $9,250 |
| Administrative | $4,100 – $9,000 |
| Contingency | $6,000 – $12,000 |
Thank you for considering support for this pilot project. To discuss partnership or multi-year commitments, please see our Contact page.